Social Worker, Financial Empowerment (2025-226-CP)

WoodGreen’s Financial Empowerment (FE) Program serves to prevent, reduce, and alleviate poverty by directly addressing the financial barriers in the lives of our clients. The incumbent of the position is a member of the Financial Empowerment team and reports to the Manager of Financial Empowerment. The Financial Empowerment Social Worker works as part of the Financial Empowerment team to provide financial counselling, education, and tax filing support to Torontonians.

Description

Employment Type: Contract Salary ending March 31st, 2026, Bargaining Unit (4 Vacancies)

Work Hours: 35 hours/week (Mon-Fri, 9 am – 5 pm)

Work Setting: Hybrid – Opportunity to work remotely after orientation & training period

Program Overview – Financial Empowerment, Community Programs

WoodGreen’s Financial Empowerment (FE) Program serves to prevent, reduce, and alleviate poverty by directly addressing the financial barriers in the lives of our clients. The incumbent of the position is a member of the Financial Empowerment team and reports to the Manager of Financial Empowerment.

The Financial Empowerment Social Worker works as part of the Financial Empowerment team to provide financial counselling, education, and tax filing support to Torontonians who are living on a low income and who are unable to address these issues alone.

What You Will Do

1. Provide individual and family financial empowerment counselling for a caseload of clients as assigned by the program manager.
2. Keep current on financial regulations and resources relevant to living on low-income in Toronto, including but not limited to income security, benefits access, debt and credit management, budgeting, banking, saving, and retirement planning.
3. Use a client-centered and trauma-informed approach to address clients’ presenting financial concerns.
4. Develop and implement service plans with clients based on clients’ goals.
5. Undertake financial benefits eligibility assessments with clients.
6. Help clients apply for government benefits and income supports.
7. Problem-solve and advocate for clients who have been denied government benefits and income supports.
8. Prepare income tax returns and T1 adjustments.
9. Keep current about the range of services available at WoodGreen and in other agencies.
10. Provide clients with appropriate referrals to other resources (WoodGreen or external) to address additional needs as appropriate.
11. Maintain records and keep up-to-date and accurate case notes on all clients.
12. Support Tax Clinic development and service planning by participating in meetings and providing input on service design.
13. Assist in the creation of Tax Clinic volunteer training materials and delivery of volunteer training sessions.
14. Oversee the operation of the volunteer Tax Clinic on a rotating schedule, supporting volunteers and providing direct client tax services in a clinic setting where necessary.
15. Develop, update, and deliver Financial Literacy workshops to client groups and social service professionals.
16. Provide information on financial topics to other WoodGreen and external social service professionals.
17. Assist in training, overseeing, and supporting volunteers and students.
18. Participate in strategic program planning and development activities, both within the Financial Empowerment program and with the larger Community Programs Unit.
19. Responsible for the collection of statistical data required for the accountability of the program.
20. Participate in team and unit meetings regularly and promote the healthy functioning of the team and unit.
21. Responsible for representing the unit on internal staff committees as directed by the program manager or unit director.
22. Perform other duties as assigned by the program manager.

What You Bring to the Team

1. Degree in social work (BSW or MSW).
2. Registered Social Worker (RSW) in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers.
3. 2+ years of case management experience.
4. 2+ years of experience working or volunteering in a community-based setting or the not-for-profit sector.
5. Financial Counsellor Accreditation is considered an asset.

What Will Set You Apart

1. Experience providing income support casework and/or financial problem-solving to clients.
2. Demonstrated knowledge of provincial and federal income supports and benefits.
3. Demonstrated knowledge of debt and credit management.
4. Demonstrated knowledge of the Canadian income tax system.
5. Sensitivity to the needs and challenges faced by our clients and a desire to serve our community.
6. Experience working from a client-centered, trauma-informed, anti-oppressive framework.
7. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
8. Self-directed and independent, but also proven experience in working effectively as a team member in collaboration with other community professionals.
9. Experience developing and facilitating educational workshops (for clients and/or staff).
10. Detail-oriented worker with strong organizational and time management skills.
11. Ability to resolve conflicts autonomously and seek appropriate support from the manager as required.
12. Experience working with and mentoring volunteers and students with varied skill sets.
13. Comfortable providing services in the field using mobile technology (laptop, cell phone, cloud-based software).
14. Comfortable working in an open office environment.
15. Flexible with shift scheduling, including some evening and weekend shifts.